BRUNSWICK, ME –  Today, Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his support for the AG RESEARCH Act, a bill that aims to address the significant modernization needs in schools of agriculture and the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facilities. Schools of agriculture across the country, including the University of Maine, face a combined $8.4 billion maintenance backlog. In addition, ARS facilities across the nation face a combined $1 billion maintenance backlog.

“Maine’s agricultural industry plays a vital role in our state’s rural communities, helping generations of Maine farmers support their families and supply high-quality products to people throughout the state,” said Senator King. “These farming traditions have been aided by important agricultural research from schools of agriculture both in-state and across the country – but unfortunately, too many of these schools have been facing maintenance issues that harm their ability to conduct critical 21^st century research. This bill would help make sure talented researchers have the facilities they need to do their job and give our country’s hardworking farmers the information they need to thrive.”

The AG RESEARCH Act would establish competitive grants to fund renovations at schools of agriculture and direct funds to the modernization of ARS facilities. The bill would establish a U.S. Department of Agriculture 1-to-1 matching competitive grant to schools of agriculture for altering, modernizing, renovating, or remodeling research facilities and equipment. Priority would be given to projects that are shovel-ready or incorporate renewable energy or energy/water-efficient technologies. The bill would also authorize the use of Commodity Credit Corporation funds for maintenance of ARS research facilities, with priority given to the most critical projects as indicated in the ARS Capital Investment Strategy.

In addition to Sen. King, the AG RESEARCH Act is supported by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

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